Educational Matters

Southland Times, Issue 13284, 10 August 1895, Page 3

Educational Matters

(By

Telegraph.)

Wellington, Aug. 9. A deputation from the Education Conference waited upon the Minister of Education this evening, when Mr Blair, as chairman, brought under his notice the resolutions carried by the conf rence. Ho urged that ■omething in the direction of technical education should be dore this year, otherwise the good results of the conference would bo considerably diminished. Mr Bridge (Wanganui) spoke as to the distribution of the building grant and the claims of tho various districts. At the conference, representing both large and small Boards, it was agreed that thete should bo a more equitable distribution. Dr Newman said the conference were very anxious that tho Minister’s Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction . Bill of 1892 should become law this session. They thought it would settle the (difficulty for many years to come. The friends of the conference in Parliament would assist the Minister as much as possible. The Hon. Mr Reeves acknowledged the representative character of tho deputation, still ho thought it was a pity that official information was not given to Ministers or to tho permanent head of the department ; neither was any sort of invitation extended to him to be present nt the conference. Co- : operation with the Minister or the permanent heads of the department was very desirable in the interests of education. He had to depend for his information as to tho proceedings upon short reports in the newspapers. He was glad to see that public opinion had now come up to his Manual and Technical Instruction Bill. However, it was a question of funds and he could only put the matter before the Cabinet and hope for a favourable answer. There was nothing in the Act to prevent the kindergarten system being applied as suggested ; the regulations only dealt with results not with methods. He concurred with those who urged the claims of kindergarten and if there were any difficulties by reason of the regulations he would help to have them removed. He must tell them frankly that he would not give them any help as regards continuation schools. All the money available] was required for ordinary education purposes; besides he was opposed to the system on principle if it would tempt children from the ordinary schools. The distribution of the building grant was evidently a burning question at the conference, but there were other things to be considered besides the progress of settlement. He would be prepared to consider fully any information supplied from the different Boards. If one district obtained a larger grant one year that would have to be considered in making grants for the following year. Mr Reeves admitted that legislation was necessary to prevent minors from voting in school committee elections. He regarded the introduction of decimal notation with favour, and if adopted by the rest of the empire New Zealand would not be found to stand in the way. He did not think legislation was necessary to give Boards power to adopt a uniform system throughout the colony in the appointment of teachers, and he had no intention of working the Act in any narrow spirit. Returning to the question of the building grant and the principle of its distribution, he said it was in reality a question of funds. They had at present to make L 45,000 do when about L 60.000 was necessary. However, he could not propose to increase the vote, but hoped, with the assistance of the members present, to induce Parliament to keep the grant at L 45.000. The delegation assured the Minister that they had no intention of acting discourteously to him in not inviting him to be present at their deliberations; they would have been pleased to have him with them, but thought that as Parliament was sitting he could not spare the time. The Minister stated that he was quite satisfied with the explanation and the deputation withdrew.